BOARD OF EDUCATION

MIDDLETOWN, NEW YORK

MARCH 5, 2009

A regular meeting of the Board of Education of the Enlarged City School District of Middletown, New York was held March 5, 2009, at the Middletown High School Auditorium, Gardner Avenue Extension, Board President Nicholas Mauro, presiding.

Present: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Dr. Mauro, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen - 8.

Absent: None.

Others Attending: Dr. Kenneth Eastwood, Superintendent of Schools
                                Elizabeth McKean, School Business Administrator
                                Richard DelMoro, Director of Secondary Education
                                Paul Weir, Director for Personnel Services
                                Selena Fischer, Director for Pupil Personnel & Special Services
                                Michael Tuttle, Chief Technology Officer

Dr. Mauro called the meeting to order at 6:35 p.m. Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to have an executive session to discuss employment history, or matters leading to the appointment or employment of a particular person.

Public session resumed at 8:50 p.m.

Dr. Eastwood led the pledge to the flag.

Ms. Perkins made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Isseks, to approve the agenda with the following amendments: Group together the approval of Item #6 to include Group Contract with OT Plus and Individual OT Contract. A discussion pursued. Mr. Drohan advised the majority of the Board could agree to vote on these items separately. It would be most appropriate to do so when the motion comes up to vote on these items and at that time, can request to separate them for approval.

A roll-call vote was taken for the approval of the agenda as stated in the original motion:

Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins (Ms. Perkins noted: she has continued reservations that the agenda has an item that is inappropriately stated as a resolution), Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve the minutes of January 22, 2009.

Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino,
Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 7. Noes: Ms. Perkins – 1. Motion was declared approved.

Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tobiassen, to approve Personnel Memorandum #20.

Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mrs. Isseks made a motion to separate the two OT contracts for approval at this time. Motion was seconded by Mr. Paul.

A discussion pursued. No vote was taken at this time.

David Coates presented a plaque to Dr. Eastwood and coaches in recognition of the Section 9 Indoor Track Team.

Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Mr. Perrino, to approve the Group Contract with OT Plus as follows:

Resolved, that the Board of Education approve the Contract for Professional Services with Occupational Therapy Plus, effective immediately.

By roll-call vote:

Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mr. Paul made a motion, seconded by Ms. Tobiassen, to approve the Individual OT Contract as follows:

Resolved, that the Board of Education approve the Contract with Myrna VanDerMolen for Occupational Therapy Services.

A discussion pursued.

A roll-call vote was taken for the approval of the Individual OT Contract as stated in the original motion and resolution:

Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen– 5. Noes: Mrs. Isseks, Ms. Perkins, Dr. Mauro - 3. Motion was declared approved.

At 10:30 p.m., Dr. Mauro called for a recess.

At 10:45 p.m., the meeting reconvened.

RECOGNITIONS/ANNOUNCEMENTS/COMMUNITY REPORTS:

Mr. Perrino announced that Truman Moon was collecting money for a tragic fire that occurred in a student’s home. Mr. Perrino recognized the following: Building committees; congratulated High School students on high averages; Financial workshop that was held; Music in our Schools performance; past month was Black History Month.

OPPORTUNITY TO ADDRESS THE BOARD:

• Jane Green – Recognized students for participating in Odyssey of the Mind at Twin Towers.
• Michelle Perna – Voiced concerns for need of new elementary school.
• Marianne Parrino – Expressed her support of building a new Chorley elementary school.
• Melissa and Deanna Knapp – Read letter from their father, Joseph Knapp, thanking Dr. Eastwood for all that he has done for the District.
• Rosemary Capozella – Commented on the Board’s conduct and behavior.
• Justin Reed and fellow classmates – Commented on Board policy, leadership, the Board’s conduct.
• Patty Turkin – Commented on the Board acting unprofessionally, commended Dr. Eastwood’s leadership, and suggested sticking to a 4 minute limit for addressing the Board.
• Ed Estrada – Recommended naming the media center at the new Chorley school, the “John Perrino Media Center”.
• Richard Collins – Commented on the progress that Dr. Eastwood has made for the District.
• Carol Gillen – Commented on the Board’s conduct and topics discussed this evening.
• Dominic Coriello – Commented that the needs of the children were met this evening due to the approval of the OT contract.
• Ben Brunning – Commended Dr. Eastwood on his accomplishments. Asked for an update on lawyer’s costs and Small City Schools.
• Jim LaPenna – Discussed putting together an alumni association, sent an email to the Board offering them an opportunity to participate in a seminar.
• Paul Johnson – Spoke about Board leadership.
• John Gennarelli – Spoke about Board leadership.

PRESENTATIONS

• Elizabeth McKean, School Business Administrator – 2009-2010 Budget Recommendations – C4E, Capital, Benefits

Mr. Geiger made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Financial Memorandum #16.
Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Mr. Perrino,
Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 7 Noes: Ms. Perkins - 1. Motion was declared approved.

Mr. Perrino made a motion, seconded by Mrs. Knapp, to approve Special Services Memorandum #15.

Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Mrs. Knapp made a motion, seconded by Mr. Geiger, to approve the Cheerleading Mat Donation.

Ayes: Mr. Geiger, Mrs. Isseks, Mrs. Knapp, Mr. Paul, Ms. Perkins,
Mr. Perrino, Ms. Tobiassen, Dr. Mauro – 8. Noes: None. Motion was unanimously approved.

Dr. Mauro removed from the agenda at this time, Action Item #4) Approval of Construction Contracts (2006 Capital Project-Phase 2).

At 12:45 a.m., Ms. Tobiassen made a motion, seconded by Mr. Paul, to adjourn the meeting. Motion was unanimously approved.

Respectfully submitted,

Michelle K. Towle

District Clerk